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Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on July 14, 2025 that Mao, the latest manga from mangaka Rumiko Takahashi – whose works include Inuyasha, Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura, will be adapted into a television anime.

The anime will be produced by the studio Sunrise and is scheduled to air on Japan’s Nhk-General channel in the spring of 2026. A new trailer and key visual were released to commemorate the announcement. Check them out below:

Mao anime trailer

The project brings together a staff who are familiar with Takahashi’s works. Mao’s anime adaptation will be directed by Teruo Sato, with Yoshihito Hishinuma serving as character designer and chief animation director. Both of these staff members had worked on Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon.

Additionally, Yuko Kakihara, who was the script supervisor for the 2022 remake of Urusei Yatsura, will serve in the same role for Mao. Shu Kanematsu is in charge of composing the music.

The historical fantasy series follows Nanoka Kiba,...

A TV anime adaptation of Rumik oTakahashi's dark fantasy manga series Mao is set to premiere on Nhk General TV in Japan in the spring of 2026. The anime's official website and X (formerly Twitter) opened today, releasing a teaser trailer and visual. Mao Teaser Trailer Teaser visual The site also revealed the anime's four main voice cast members below: Mao voiced by Yuki Kaji (Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan ) Nanoka Kiba voiced by Natsumi Kawaida (Himari Momochi in The Demon Prince of Momochi House ) Hyakka voiced by Hiro Shimono (Zenitsu Agatsuma in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ) Kamon voiced by Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Takuma Kosugi in My Wife Has No Emotion ) Mao character visual Nanoka Kiba character visual Hyakka character visual Kamon character visual A hand-written message from Rumiko Takahashi reads: "Thank you for the anime adaptation. It is as good as I expected, the voice actors are great,...

Ongoing fantasy light novel to TV anime adaptation I Left my A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths! enters a new story arc with the publication of episode 18, and today the series revealed two new cast members, new key art, new trailers and information on the new ending theme. The series is currently broadcasting in Japan and streaming on Crunchyroll. I Left my A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths! Trailer 3 Jamie Character Trailer The new cast members include: Vincent the 5th voiced by Shuhei Sakaguchi Selphie-chan voice by Natsumi Kawaida Vincent the 5th Selphie-chan Yuki Tanaka performs the new ending theme for the series, which is entitled “Tapestry”. The original light novels are written by Kosuke Unagi, illustrated by Super Zombie and published by Kodansha under their Kodansha Ranobe Books imprint. Kodansha USA also publishes a manga adaptation with artwork by Yuri.

The official website and accounts for the I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Students Reach the Dungeon Depths anime today announced that the fantasy series will begin airing from January 11, 2025 at 24:55 Jst (effectively January 12 at 0:55). A new trailer and key visual were also revealed, along with eight additional cast members. Related: I Left my A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths! Anime Reveals Official Theme Song Performers I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Students Reach the Dungeon Depths Anime Trailer I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Students Reach the Dungeon Depths Anime Key Visual The I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Students Reach the Dungeon Depths anime's cast list is now as follows: Yuke voiced by Hiromu Mineta (Yatora in Blue Period ) Marina voiced by Hana Inami Silk voiced by Natsumi Kawaida (Himari in The Demon...

An official website and X (formerly Twitter) account opened today announced that an anime series adaptation of I Left my A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths is set for a continuous two-cour broadcast from January 2025 in Japan. A teaser trailer and visual were released, along with the main cast and staff. Teaser Visual The anime's main cast is as follows: Yuke voiced by Hiromu Mineta (Yatora in Blue Period ) Marina voiced by Hana Inami Silk voiced by Natsumi Kawaida (Himari in The Demon Prince of Momochi House ) Rain voiced by Nene Hieda (Amyu in The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World ) Yuke Marina Silk Rain Related: Even Given the Worthless “Appraiser” Class, I'm Actually the Strongest Anime Reveals January 2025 Premiere in Teaser Trailer Based on the light novels by Uenami Kosuke and Super Zombie, Katsumi Ono ( Skeleton Knight in Another World ) directs I...

Ahead of The Concierge ’s one-day theatrical release across North America, Italy, Germany and Spain this September , Crunchyroll News had the opportunity to sit down with debut director Yoshimi Itazu during his visit to Australia for the Melbourne International Film Festival and discuss the anime film’s relatable protagonist, natural themes and exquisite design inspirations. The Concierge is your anime film directorial debut, following your anime series debut in 2018 with Welcome to the Ballroom . What were the main differences you found between the two types of productions, and which would you like to pursue in the future? Yoshimi Itazu: I think compared to Ballroom , for The Concierge , I was able to maintain my own style. And because it’s not a television series, I was very conscious about the fact that I was in control of the flow. What immediately stood out to you about Tsuchika Nishimura’s The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store manga,...

Doors are open and it’s time to shop in a one-of-a-kind experience as you can now get tickets to the new anime film The Concierge today! Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will release The Concierge, one of the latest anime movies form Production I.G, for a one-day-only event on September 11 in the following North American theaters. Tickets back be purchased directly from the list of theaters before, as well at Fandango.com . United States Arizona Harkins Theatres Estrella Falls 16 Harkins Theatres Arizona Mills 18 with IMAX California AMC Burbank 16 AMC The Grove 14 Regal Delta Shores & IMAX Century Arden 14 Regal Edwards Mira Mesa ​​AMC Mission Valley 20 Cinemark Century Oakridge 20 AMC Metreon 16 AMC Saratoga 14 Colorado AMC Westminster Promenade 24 Connecticut Cinemark Buckland Hills 18 Xd and IMAX Florida Cinemark Paradise 24 and Xd AMC Dine-in Disney Springs 24 Regal Waterford Lakes AMC Veterans 24 Georgia AMC Colonial 18 Hawaii Consolidated Theatres Ward with Titan Luxe Illinois AMC...

The wait is almost over for a movie outing that will please humans and furry friends alike! Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will release The Concierge , one of the latest anime films form Production I.G, for a one-day-only event on September 11 in North American theaters. The film will also release on September 23 in Italy, September 24 in Germany, September 26 in Austalia and September 27 in Spain. Stay tuned for more ticketing information in the future about the release. Related: Crunchyroll to Bring The Concierge Anime Movie to North America in 2024 The Concierge is an adaptation of The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store from Tsuchika Nishimura. The story centers around Akino, a concierge-in-training in a store with a unique customer base -- animals, of which extinct species are held in the highest regard. Directed by Yoshimi Itazu ( Welcome to the Ballroom ) at Production I.G, The Concierge stars Natsumi Kawaida ( Diary of Our...

Crunchyroll is, as everyone knows, the biggest anime provider in the world. Although the competition is increasing, definitely, Crunchyroll is still the main and largest source of anime series and movies in the world. Now, while the series are its prime source, Crunchyroll also has a solid movie library, and on April 12, 2024, the service is going to provide us with a special two-film simulcast event. Namely, the movies Kuramerukagari and Kurayukaba are going to have their theatrical premieres in Japan but will also be simulcast globally by Crunchyroll at the same time, which is a very special event, as fans will get to enjoy the movies at the same time, which is a rare occurrence.

Ahead of the two premieres, Crunchyroll has also given us a last glimpse into the two movies, with two final trailers, as well as some other press information about the upcoming movies.

Kuramerukagari is a...

Last year was a standout year for animation, and 2024 is already shaping up to be another banger. While a majority of the high-profile animation releases are due out later this summer, the first quarter of 2024 has already been promising. We at /Film are constantly singing the praises of animation as a medium, and doing our best to course-correct the ignorant idea that animation is only for children. Admittedly, this list is going to look mighty small for the time being, but it will be updated throughout the year as more films become available. As we noted last year, animation is one of the only mediums where global cinema is given an equal footing to studio-produced films in America, with the artistic visuals serving as a universal language that we can all enjoy. Meaning, this list is not limited to Hollywood animation releases ... and that's a good thing. As for now,...

The upcoming anime film The Concierge will arrive in North American theaters next year.

According to Anime News Network, Crunchyroll has acquired the rights to Production I.G.'s latest fantasy film and plans to give it a theatrical run in North America in 2024. Based on Tsuchika Nishimura's The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store manga series, the movie revolves around a young woman named Akino, who works at a department store whose customers are all anthropomorphic animals. Despite her unusual client base, Akino aims to become an exceptional concierge, impressing customers with her diligence and sincerity. The Concierge is slated to premiere in Japan on Oct. 20. Crunchyroll has released the film's official trailer on its YouTube channel.

Related: Film Version of Phoenix: Eden17 Anime Releases New Trailer

Yoshimi Itazu, who is known for his animation work on The Deer King (2021) and Miss Hokusai (2015), is taking on The Concierge as his first film project as director.

Anime specialty company Crunchyroll revealed Thursday that it has acquired all North American rights to the upcoming Japanese animated feature The Concierge. The company, a subsidiary of Sony, plans to release the film in North American theaters early next year.

The film is a feature adaptation of Tsuchika Nishimura’s beloved manga series The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store, which follows Akino, a trainee concierge, who works at a special store where the customers are all animals and the most valued among them are extinct species.

Directed by Yoshimi Itazu from the fabled production company Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Psycho-Pass, Haikyuu!), The Concierge made its world premiere to positive reviews this past June at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and its North American premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival. It will get its Japan release by Aniplex on Oct. 20.

The Concierge is Itazu’s feature filmmaking debut,...

Crunchyroll, a distribution company that specializes in anime, has acquired North American rights for the film “The Concierge.”

It is set to be released by Aniplex in Japan on Oct. 20 and is expected to come to Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures theatrical territories in 2024.

Yoshimi Itazu (“Welcome to the Ballroom”) directed “The Concierge,” an adaptation of Tsuchika Nishimura’s “The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store.” The story follows a trainee concierge named Akino, who works at a store that caters exclusively to animals. She runs around to fulfill the whims and wishes of customers — extinct species are most valued — with a myriad of needs in her pursuit to become a full-fledged concierge.

“The word ‘no’ doesn’t exist in a concierge’s dictionary!” Akino laments in the trailer. But she has a special regard for Hokkyoku. “This is a store for people who are doing their best,” she later says.

“The...

Get ready for an anime event of epic proportions! The highly anticipated Aniplex Online Fest 2023, hosted by Aniplex Co. and co-hosted by Sony Music Entertainment Inc. Japan, is just around the corner, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Here’s everything you need to know about this spectacular one-day anime extravaganza.

Aniplex Online Fest 2023: What’s in Store When and Where: Mark your calendars for September 9, 2023. The event is set to kick off at 8 Pm Pacific Time (20:00 Pdt) and run until 1 Am Pacific Time on September 10 (1:00 Pdt). It’s a global affair; you can join the fun from anywhere. The venue? Zepp DiverCity Tokyo, the heart of anime culture. Hosts Extraordinaire: Aniplex Co. is leading the charge, joined by co-host Sony Music Entertainment Inc. Japan. With such heavyweights in the anime industry at the helm, you know it’s going to be big. The Legacy: Aniplex Online Fest,...